"Scrapbook Begun June 8, 1976", 1976-1980s

This scrapbook begins with the following inscription: "71 years old today, and beginning these writings for my wife, my children, my grandchildren, and those who come after them in the succession--as much of what I am as can reasonably be expressed in words, if the time available--how long?--allows . . . [unintelligible] . . . What do I see as coming in this book-- 1) copies of the poems I like, including my own, 2) translations of poems, 3) stories . . . 4) notes that might have been the philosophical work I once planned, 5) new thoughts on events and books, 6) collage jokes, 7) expressions and opinions, 8) drawings, 9) anything else". Items of note include journal entries, notes for future projects, notes related to Advent Books, and three original drawings, "Ain't She Sweet / Nowhere She Isn't," and two untitled drawings, all of which appear in The Big Laugh . The scrapbook also contains several typescripts, including two poems by James Hogan, "Animal Performers" and "By My Own Hand"; a poem by Jean Reavey, "In Memorium George Reavey, May 1, 1907 - August 11, 1976"; and an anonymous article on the life of Jacques Maritiain, the French Philosopher under whom Coffey studied at l'Institut Catholique de Paris